5 Essential Style Lessons From the Best-Dressed Guys at Outside Lands

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Putting together an outfit when you’re a music god playing at an end-of-summer throw-down like Outside Lands—a three-day affair that took place this weekend at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco—might sound like a good time, but it’s a bit of a sartorial struggle. The sun is blazing, it’s doubly hot on stage, you’ve got to look like a legend-in-the-making, and you’ll likely be coming right off of a bus. Here, we present five men who managed to navigate the situation with style this weekend. Now we really wish we were them.

Sam Smith

Let Smith's look serve as proof that relying on classics—denim jacket, white t-shirt, black jeans, suede bucks—is never a bad idea. It wouldn’t have been Bowie’s thing, but not everyone can be Bowie.

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2/5

Leon Bridges

There’s a lot that could have gone wrong here but Bridges managed to nail that classic-man look with a well-fitting jacket that was appropriately summery. He also threw in a few choice accessories any guy could incorporate into his own routine. Never skimp on the details.

WireImage

3/5

Marcus Mumford

Mumford is a big, burly guy with a bit of a Western style sensibility, which isn’t the easiest set of circumstances under which to get dressed. He nailed it though. Let it be known: A denim shirt and black jeans are things you just need to own.

WireImage

4/5

Nate Ruess

We want to dislike this Miami Vice-era outfit on Ruess, but there’s something about it that feels right on him. An all-black base helps ground the look, for one, and the leather slip-ons lighten the whole thing up. Also, he just looks like fun.

FilmMagic

5/5

Kendrick Lamar

This outfit is a tribute to the sartorial power of broken-in, beat-up clothes. 'Cause here’s the thing: A little patina can sometimes mean the difference between looking like a suburban dad and a music god who has zero fucks to give.

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